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Joe Montemurro has defended the controversial decision to return the captain’s armband to Sam Kerr following Australia’s 3-0 defeat against England.
Kerr made her first appearance for the Matildas since November 2023 in their 2-1 win over Wales last weekend in Cardiff.
Defender Steph Catley has worn the armband during Kerr’s two-year absence due to injury, and many football fans felt should have remained the team's skipper.
During her lengthy recovery, Kerr was found not guilty in February of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer she called ‘f***king stupid and white’.
And against England at Pride Park in Derby on Wednesday morning AEDT, the captaincy was restored to Kerr.
When asked post-game what he would say to an Australian public ‘critical’ of Kerr retaining the captaincy, the Matildas boss replied: ‘We've made a decision internally for what we believe is the best for a football performance and for the group.’
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has defended the decision to return the captain’s armband to Sam Kerr following Australia’s 3-0 defeat to England
Montemurro declared he wasn't 'going to make any political decisions' and that the squad are 'happy to have' Kerr as captain
Matildas star Ellie Carpenter told reporters 'having Kerr's presence in this squad is very important for us'
‘I make football decisions. I'm not going to make any political decisions and Sam is an important part of what we're trying to do.
‘As far as we're concerned, we just kept the status quo going forward and we're happy with her continuing on as captain.’
Kerr’s club and country teammate Ellie Carpenter also heaped praise on the No. 20.
‘Sam’s always been our captain,' she said.
'Obviously, she’s been out (inured) for a very long time. Having her presence in this squad is very important for us.
'She’s a big player, she’s very important to the team. For us, she’s changed football in Australia and having her on the team is a massive boost.
‘She’s just coming from a very long injury and she’s trying to find her feet, hit the ground running again.
'Multiple minutes in the national team, she’s probably very happy with that and hopefully can build on that in her next games for club and country.’
On the pitch, Kerr had a couple of chances in the first half. Her brightest moment was early on when she forced a sharp save from Hannah Hampton, but overall the striker was contained by England's defenders.
